Jugnauth's WHL numbers in the 2024-25 regular season and playoffs are gorgeous. This season, Jugnauth has six goals and 28 assists for 34 points in his first 50 AHL games. That ranks fourth among all AHL rookies in scoring and first among first-year defensemen. He ranks fourth among all AHL defensemen in scoring, and a closer look reveals that all of the other defensive scorers in the top 10 are in their third to eighth professional seasons.
Jugnauth and his Firebirds coaches are keenly aware that more development must occur not only to advance to the next level, but also to continue Jugnauth's success at the lower levels in the NHL's ultimate proving ground.
“It's different at the AHL level,” Jugnauth said after a recent morning skate in the Southern California desert. “The coaches had a lot of faith in me in Portland. They gave me a long leash there. Here. [with the Firebirds] I had to start from scratch and try to get the coach to trust me. Lately, in the last 12 to 15 games, I feel like I'm playing with more confidence. I use my skates more. I think that’s starting to show up on both ends of the ice. ”
Firebirds defensive whisperer job
Stu Bickel is entering his fourth year as a Firebirds assistant coach shaping the Kraken defensive outlook. Jugnauth became the WHL Defensive Player of the Year, challenging Bickell's traditional approach.
“For a young guard, I try to start on the defensive end [offensive] The blue line is back,” Bickell said. “Early on in the year, working with Juggy, there was a lot of talk about gaps. [closing the distance from defenseman to an approaching opponent]understanding what we as a team want to do in these situations.
“From there, we took a more technical look at the wiring against us, as well as our data [in terms of Firebirds players] It seemed like he was defending that momentum. In the beginning, it's structuring a lot of reads based on where we want to go, the route we want to take as a defender. ”
Bickell said all young defensemen must learn these specialized systems. Jugnauth, for his part, learned quickly during those first few months at Kraken training camp and in Palm Desert.
“Now it's working more with Juggy on the details of, 'OK, I'm in a good position. How do I close the game?'” Bickel said. “For him, we can use some tricks to win the ball back so he doesn't get into a strength-versus-strength battle because there's going to be bigger, stronger players. Judge understands that. He can do things like interfere with the ball [opponent’s] Go up to your elbow and hit the puck with your stick.
“He's very good with the stick, both against AHL players and in exhibition games with the Kraken. His skating ability comes in handy and he can move his feet to get closer to the game, putting him in a stronger defensive position against players trying to cut him in. Juggy is also very coachable.”
Give “Juggy” room to operate
Bickell noted that Jugnauth's growth on the defensive end provides an advanced approach that could provide the young defender with more opportunities in the offensive zone, whether that's serving as quarterback for the No. 1 Firebirds, joining the rush or getting opportunities in net in strong 5-on-5 games.
